KUALA LUMPUR (22 Dec 2010) – Malaysian striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha is savouring the prospect of taking on Indonesia in the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 which will be played on a home and away basis.
The Malaysians are taking on Indonesia in the first leg of the final match in Kuala Lumpur on 26 Dec 2010 before the return tie in Jakarta three days later.
“This is the moment that we have been waiting for all month long,” said the 24-year-old Norshahrul.
“We will ensue that this time round we will win the tie to make sure that we make up for the embarrassing defeat we suffered earlier in the month (in the group stage).
“What has motivated us other than wanting to win the AFF Suzuki Cup this year for the first time since 1996 is the desire to play Indonesia again.”
Malaysia did not have the best of start in the AFF Suzuki this year when they fell to a 5-1 loss to hosts Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
They then held former champions Thailand to a scoreless draw before overcoming Laos 5-1 in their final Group A match to qualify for the semi-finals.
They overcame defending champions Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate.
“I don’t think that the Indonesian defence is invincible especially in the middle. And I think that they have been lucky thus far especially in the semi-final against the weaker teams like the Philippines – that made them look good,” he quipped.
“My aim is to make sure that we score goals, it does not matter who scores as long as we win in Kuala Lumpur. I’m not chasing to be the best striker or anything.
“For me, the most important thing is that the team wins.”
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010, FINALS FIXTURES
First-leg – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (BUKIT JALIL NATIONAL STADIUM, KUALA LUMPUR)
26 Dec Malaysia vs Indonesia (2000hrs)
Second-leg – Jakarta, Indonesia (GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM, JAKARTA)
29 Dec Indonesia vs Malaysia (2000hrs)
